Research / Projects

The Microscopy Facilities are used for a broad array of research projects at the University.   The following will provide some flavor of the types of projects that are supported. 

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology: Although not well known, the University of La Verne has an active research program in various aspects of hydrogen fuel cell technology.  Consistent with the ULV Mission, this research has the great potential for dramatically improving the environment, the economy and political harmony.  The Centers resources have been used for analysis of metallic purification membranes, catalysts of various sorts, structural components, reaction products and other entities.  Analyses include elemental content and distribution analysis, defect detection, measurement, wear characterization and many other dimensions.  This work is directed by Professor Iraj Parchamazad.

• Genetic Control of Programmed Cell Death ("Apoptosis"): Professor Stacey Darling-Novak has conducted research on programmed cell death in the starch storing tissue (endosperm) of corn kernels.  A blend of light microscopy techniques including fluorescence microscopy is useful for this research.  The transmission electron micrograph at the right shows ultra structural changes during maize endosperm development.

• Fossil Wood Analysis: Several senior theses and student research projects have centered on the analysis of fossil woods from the Eocene Wagon Bed Formation of Wyoming.  The results of these studies not only reveal the taxonomic affinities of the fossils but also evolutionary patterns and paleoclimatic information.  These investigations rely most heavily on the transmission photomicroscope.  This work is directed by Professor Jay Jones.

• Archaeological research: The scanning electron microscope and reflectance photomicroscope have been used extensively to study botanical samples from bronze age and Roman sites in the Northern ......This is part of Professor Jonathan Reed research.  This work is Directed by Professor Jonathan Reed.

• Examination of Meteorites: Professor David Chappel extends the uses of the SEM-EDS to extraterrestrial as he examines meteorites for structure and composition.
   

• Lead in the environment: Professor Jay Jones has worked with students on numerous studies of lead in the environment.  Although the hazards of lead have been known for decades, this research has revealed some novel aspects that have serious implications with regard to exposure of workers in specific professions.  The SEM-EDS, provides the ability to correlate lead content with specific particles thus expanding the types of studies conducted.